Teaching and Learning at Sidmouth College

Teaching & Learning is our priority; if we are getting it right in every lesson, every day then everything else will follow.

The core guiding principle that lies at the heart of everything we do at Sidmouth College is to encourage and develop capacity to learn among all members of our community. We believe that learning is the process by which students gradually acquire and assimilate knowledge, concepts, skills, and attitudes to enable them to make greater sense of the world.

At Sidmouth College we empower our students to take control of their own learning and their own lives so they know how to make good choices and also have the ability to thrive in a fast moving, ever changing world.

"We must remember that we are preparing our children not simply for employment… and for the contribution they can make to the common good… but for the difficult decisions they will have to make in their personal lives, in those moments when they have to take responsibility for themselves…"
Michael Morpurgo

Teaching and learning is central to our work as educators and it stems from the school’s aims, ethos and vision. We expect all of our staff to deliver high quality, stimulating and dynamic lessons, where all students are supported and challenged to enjoy and make good progress in their learning.

Students of all ability levels will be given equal opportunities to learn in order to achieve their full potential. Our purpose is to create a learning environment which fosters motivation and allows all students to flourish. We strive not to simply teach knowledge but to empower our students by teaching them how to learn.

Aims of learning and Teaching within Sidmouth College.

• To provide a personalised learning experience for every child that takes full account of their individual needs’, interests and aspirations.
• To challenge and inspire all students to be successful learners and in being so reach their academic potential or beyond.
• To ensure that our students are active and independent learners who strive to achieve their best in every learning situation and will continue to do so throughout their lives.
• To ensure that students are highly literate and numerate, able to apply their skills and knowledge to new and different situations, to achieve well in school and beyond.
• To make links with the learning that students do outside the classroom.
• To embed a rigorous quality assurance programme, focusing on the continual raising standards of teaching and learning in the school, to inspire and motivate students and staff.
• To identify and share good practice in teaching and learning across all curriculum areas.
• To provide guidelines for teaching and learning and establish clear criteria for best practice and consistency.